Halt on HUD cutsRenunciando los recortes del HUD

Halt on HUD cuts

Story and photos by Gregg McQueen

“I am not invisible,” said Giancarlo Fernández.

Giancarlo Fernández said it’s easy to feel forgotten as a tenant of public housing.

Fernández, who grew up in Carver Houses in East Harlem, insisted that building conditions at such properties are frequently neglected and residents often feel like they’re not a priority to receive funding from lawmakers.

“My entire life, the message I’ve received from local government is that I don’t matter,” stated Fernández, one of hundreds of New Yorkers who rallied in on April 20 to protest the Trump administration’s plan to slash $6.2 billion in funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“Now, I’m receiving another message from the federal government that none of our lives matter,” Fernández said. “I’m here to send a message back, to say that I am not invisible.”

The boisterous gathering outside of HUD’s New York offices at 26 Federal Plaza was organized by the #NoCuts Coalition, a partnership of housing advocacy groups led by Community Voices Heard (CVH).

The rally was held by Federal Plaza.

Rallygoers and elected officials slammed the proposed cuts, which would eliminate nearly 20 percent of operating subsidies to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and could jeopardize key repairs.

“These cuts are unconscionable,” stated Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. “And they will not stand.”

Velázquez said that NYCHA stood to lose over $100 million in operating funds, and 10,000 housing subsidy vouchers.

“Mr. President, let me ask you, is this what makes America great again?” she asked.

City Councilmember Ritchie Torres, who grew up in NYCHA’s Throggs Neck Houses in the Bronx, said he was proud of his upbringing.

“I would not be where I am but for public housing,” Torres stated. “My life is a testament to the transformative power of public housing,” he stated.

“If these cuts happen, then everybody loses,” argued Julissa.

He implored HUD Secretary Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon, to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath.

“First, do no harm,” remarked Torres. “No cuts, no harm.”

Advocates said that slashing funds earmarked for NYCHA could also infringe on blue-collar jobs.

“Cuts to HUD will affect our members, who primarily work at NYCHA,” said Justice Favor of construction union Local 79.

The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts would also eliminate Community Development Block Grants, which help to fund building code enforcement and landlord harassment assistance.

Madeline Méndez, a Bronx resident and advocate with Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA), said many residents in her borough are worried about the ability to stay in their homes.

“People are worried about losing their vouchers,” she said. “A lot of people are already getting pushed out of the city.”

Fernández called it “invigorating” to see the large turnout for the #NoCuts Coalition’s first public event, and said he hoped more New Yorkers would get the message about potential fallout from HUD cuts.

Ben Carson is the agency Secretary.

“It just doesn’t affect public housing residents — all kinds of lives are going to be affected,” he remarked.

Following the rally, several attendees sought to get their cause noticed by everyday New Yorkers, staging civil disobedience by linking arms and blocking traffic on Broadway.

After several minutes of staring down honking motorists, a group of protesters, which included Torres, CVH Executive Director Afua Atta Mensah, and Rev. Johnny Ray Youngblood of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, were placed under arrest by police officers and led away in a van as rallygoers cheered their support.

Méndez said she hoped that advocacy efforts could gain more traction now that several groups are united under the#NoCuts Coalition.

“Now that we’re working together, we can accomplish big things,” said Méndez. “I want the next rally to be even bigger, the size of the Women’s March.”

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